Sheet metal bender



1957 M. DE WlTT KORTE SHEET METAL BENDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 26, 1964 FTQ p United States Patent Ofiiice 3,30%,d92 Patented Feb. 28, 1967 3,306,022 SHEET METAL BENDER Milton De Witt Korte, West Des Moines, Iowa, assignor of fifty percent to Leelan C. Jewell, Lake Worth, Fla. Filed Aug. 26, 1964, Ser. No. 392,161 7 Claims. (Cl. 72-387) The present invention relates generally to the art of metal bending and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for use particularly but not necessarily, in duct work which comprises a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts whereby a sheet of metal may be cleated or folded 180 degrees in but two operations.

Another highly important object of this invention is to provide an improved metal bending machine or brake of the character described which may receive sheets of various sizes and shapes and form a cleat on any side thereof.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide an improved sheet metal bender comprising unique means for folding the sheet.

Other objects are to provide a sheet metal bender of the character set forth which is comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light Weight, safe and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view principally in top plan of a sheet metal bender constructed in accordance with the present invention, a portion of the device being broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a view in front elevation of the machine with portions broken away;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational View;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view in cross-section on an enlarge scale, taken substantially n the line -5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section through the upper portion of the device, illustrating one of the bending steps;

FIGURE 7 is a view substantially similar to FIGURE 6 and showing another bending step; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view in vertical section through a side portion of the device, taken substantially on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 5.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a stand of suitable metal which is designated generally by reference numeral 10. The stand it) includes a pair of side members providing what may be considered legs 12 having vertical flanges is on the inner sides thereof. Apertured flanges 16 are integral with the lower portions of the legs 12 for securing the machine to a suitable support. Extending between the legs 12 and integral therewith is a bed or the like in the form of an angle bar 18. The angle bar 18 includes a generally horizontal top flange 20 and a generally vertical but slightly upwardly and rearwardly inclined front flange 22. It will be noted that the leg flanges 14 are integral with the flange 22 and form downward extensions thereof.

Formed integrally with the angle bar 18 and projecting forwardly from the flange 22 thereof is a series of spaced anvils or the like 24. The anvils 24 comprise substantially flat beds 26 the purpose of which will be presently set forth. Above the beds 26, the anvils 24 further comprise forwardly projecting, rounded ledges or lips 28 which are undercut and which include flat downwardly and rearwardly inclined faces 30. Above the ledges 23, the anvils 24 still further comprise vertical shoulders or abutments 32.

Iournaled for swinging movement in the vertical plane on the stand 10 between the upper portions of the side members 12 thereof is a bender 34. The bender 34 includes an angle bar 36 comprising flanges 38 and 40. Ears 42 are integral with the ends of the angle bar 36. As best seen in FIGURE 8 of the drawing, the ears 42 are apertured, as indicated at 44, to receive pivot bolts 45 which are threaded through openings 48 provided therefor in the upper portions of the side members or legs 12. Thus, the bender 34 is mounted for vertical swinging movement on the members 12.

The male corner or angle of the bar 36 has formed therein a recess or rabbet 5G. The rabbet 50 is for the reception of a single for-mer 52 comprising a bar of suitable metal which is cooperable with all of the anvils 24. The former 52 comprises a projecting beveled edge 54 which is engageable with the workpiece, as indicated at 56. Countersunk screws 58 secure the former 52 in position.

The angle bar 36 of the bender 34 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing or strengthening webs 60 which extend between the flanges 38 and 40. Aifixed in any suitable manner to the flange 38 of the angle bar 36 is a laterally inclined operating lever or handle 62.

It is thought that the operation of the tool will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the workpiece to be edged, as indicated at 56, is rested on the ledges 28 of the anvils 24 in abutting engagement with the shoulders 32. This is shown to advantage in FIGURE 5 of the drawing. The bender 34, through the medium of the handle 62, is then swung downwardly to the position of FIGURE 6 of the drawing. When this occurs the sheet metal 56 is forced downwardly from the rounded ledges 28 and then beneath the inclined faces 30 of said ledges in a manner to fold the marginal portion of said sheet metal over the beveled edge 54 of the former 52, as indicated at 64. The bender 34 is then swung upwardly to permit the workpiece to be retracted slightly to the position of FIGURE 7 of the drawing. When this has been done, the bender 34 is again swung downwardly and the former 52, engaging and riding on the edge 64, completes the folding operation. It will thus be seen that the sheet 56 has been edged in but two operations of the bender 34.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A sheet metal bending device comprising a support including a generally horizontal bar, a plurality of spaced anvils on said bar, each anvil including a protruding ledge for receiving a workpiece and a bed underlying the ledge for receiving the workpiece therefrom, and a bender pivotally mounted on the support and cooperable successively with the ledges and the beds for edging the workpiece.

2. A sheet metal bend-ing device in accordance with claim 1, each of said anvils further including a shoulder adjacent the ledge for abutting the workpiece for positioning same on said ledge.

3. A sheet metal bending device in accordance with claim 2, each of said ledges comprising an inclined undersurface overlying the bed and cooperable with the bender for folding the workpiece on said bender.

4. A sheet metal bending device in accordance with claim 3, said bender including a bar pivotally mounted on the support, an operating handle on said bar, and a former on the bar cooperable with the anvils.

5. A sheet metal bending device in accordance with claim 4, said former comprising a bar secured longitudinally on the first-named bar and including a beveled edge protruding therefrom andengageable with the workpiece.

6. A sheet metal bending device in accordance with 8 claim 5, said first-named bar being an angle member comprising a male corner having a rabbet therein receiving the former.

7. A sheet metal bending claim 6 and wherein said operating handle one of the flanges of said angle member.

device in accordance with is afiixed to References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,815,102 7/1931 Hinrich 72-321 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner. R. D. GREF E, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SHEET METAL BENDING DEVICE COMPRISING A SUPPORT INCLUDING A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL BAR, A PLURALITY OF SPACED ANVILS ON SAID BAR, EACH ANVIL INCLUDING A PROTRUDING LEDGE FOR RECEIVING A WORKPIECE AND A BED UNDERLYING THE LEDGE FOR RECEIVING THE WORKPIECE THEREFROM, AND A BENDER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE SUPPORT AND COOPERABLE SUCCESSIVELY WITH THE LEDGES AND THE BEDS FOR EDGING THE WORKPIECE. 